MPs praise the sisters’ fight to extradite Malka Leifer

The three sisters who are alleged victims of Malka Leifer fronted up this morning to address media.

Accompanying Dassi Erlich, Elly Sapir and Nicole Meyer were Victorian State Liberal MP David Southwick, Federal Labor MP Josh Burns and the former Premier of Victoria Ted Baillieu.

Dassi Erlich said that Leifer had used her tactics in the Israeli court system repeatedly that “it felt she was getting away with it”.

In a joint statement, Josh Burns and David Southwick said: “We welcome the decision overnight by the Jerusalem District Court that Malka Leifer is fit to face extradition proceedings.
While we note there may be further appeals to this decision, and a formal extradition hearing must still be held, we call on the Israeli Courts to ensure this process is carried out as quickly as possible and the farcical delays that we have seen over the last six years are not repeated.

This case has dragged on for far too long – in the six years since Australia filed its extradition request, it has taken 67 court hearings all on the same question to finally come to this conclusion – that Malka Leifer is mentally fit.

Ms Leifer is a wanted fugitive, facing 74 charges laid by Victoria Police relating to child sexual abuse in her time as Principal of the Adass Israel School in Melbourne.

The allegations made by Israeli Police of her faking mental illness, and that Ministerial interference had been used to protect Ms Leifer and to influence medical experts to testify in her defence, have been deeply disappointing.

Dassi Erlich, Nicole Meyer and Elly Sapper have bravely spoken out not just for themselves but for so many other victims of abuse.

We are proud of these brave women and congratulate them on their tireless pursuit of justice.

Today is a great day for justice and this is the biggest step forward so far in the campaign to bring Leifer back.”

Ted Baillieu has joined the two MPs over time in pushing maximum support for the three sisters.

Josh Burns commented: “Right across the political divide, Australians are united in support of Dassi, Nicole and Elly.
These sisters have carried a huge personal burden in taking on this public pursuit of justice.”

David Southwick added: ‘Today is a momentous day for Dassi, Nicole and Elly– as well as all in our community who have stood with them and fought to bring Leifer back.
These sisters have done something remarkable – they have changed the culture of our local community to ensure that victims have a voice and that justice is fought for.”